Born on March 23rd, 1937, in the Zeeland village of Schore, De Roo would become one of the most versatile and respected cyclists of his generation. His cycling career, marked by triumphs and victories, left a lasting impression on the sport.
Early years and rise
De Roo's love of cycling began in his youth, where he quickly gained notoriety in local races. At the age of seventeen, he rode his first race in the amateurs. During the 1957 Olympia's Tour, Jo de Roo won the second stage from Steenwijk to Eindhoven. At that time he was affiliated with the 'Theo Middelkamp' team. He also won the Omloop der Kempen that year. His determination and perseverance stood out, and in 1958 he switched to the pros in the Magnet-Vredestein team. It was clear that he was born to ride and to win.
Triumphs in cycling
Jo de Roo's talent really surfaced in 1962, when his victories included Paris-Tours, the Tour of Lombardy and Bordeaux-Paris. He then rode for St. Raphael. The Tour of Lombardy victory was not thrown in his lap. De Roo crashed no less than four times, however this did not deter him. He caught up with the leading group and eventually won the sprint from Livio Trappe, making him the first Dutchman to succeed in winning the unofficial world championship on points. Jo de Roo did not compete in the official world championship due to problems with the Dutch federation over costs.
Jo de Roo winner Bordeaux-Paris 1962
In 1963 de Roo again came on strong for the St. Raphael team. He won the Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy. The following year he managed to become Dutch champion. Jo de Roo also started the Tour de France again, previously it was not his cup of tea but in 1964 he managed to finish it and won the twelfth stage Montpellier - Perpignan.
Prince Bernhard and Jo de Roo 1965
In the following years he won more stages in the Tour de France and the Dutch championships, among others. In 1965, Jo de Roo escaped from the peloton and managed to win the Tour of Flanders, a prominent victory of his career. Jo de Roo demonstrated his versatility as a rider. His ability to excel in both one-day classics and stage races made him a formidable opponent for any competitor.
After his active cycling career, Jo De Roo enjoys a quiet life at home and can still often be found on his bike. His dedication and passion to the sport was undeniable.
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